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The Cornwall itinerary described here lasts 4 or 5 days and starts and ends in Plymouth.
Cornwall, the extreme western tip of England stretching towards the Atlantic Ocean, has a magnificent and wild coast formed by cliffs interspersed with beautiful beaches.
To make this itinerary in Cornwall it is better to book one of the many low cost flights that connect your country with the United Kingdom.
ITINERARY IN CORNWALL. FIRST DAY: FROM PLYMOUTH TO FALMOUTH
PLYMOUTH:
It is the largest city in Devon located along the border with Cornwall, overlooking a beautiful bay and has an interesting historic center.
From here, in 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers left for the New World aboard the Mayflower. Despite the destruction suffered during the Second World War, Plymouth still retains interesting attractions, including the Royal Citadel, a huge fortification built in 1666 by Charles II, and the Barbican. The latter is located east of the Royal Citadel which is the oldest district of the city, full of Tudor-style houses, warehouses and narrow alleys, today many buildings are home to antique shops, libraries and art galleries.
Other attractions are the Marine Aquarium, the Mayflower Steps, the place where the Pilgrim Fathers left, and the lighthouse of Smeaton’s Tower. Just north of the Barbican inside a merchant house is the Museum of local history. For a magnificent view of Plymouth Bay (Plymouth Sound), you should stop at Hoe, a grassy esplanade overlooking the city. About 5 km from the city center, the Saltram House is worth a visit, a classic example of an eighteenth-century house with rich collections of furniture, porcelain, paintings and a beautiful garden. Just 15 km from Plymouth is Dartmoor National Park where you can take beautiful walks in a relaxing natural landscape.
BODMIN:
Two are the attractions to visit in the surroundings of this town: the first is the Lanhydrock House, a magnificent late Victorian (late 19th century) country house with an interesting garden, located 5 km south-east of Bodmin. The second is Restormel Castle, the remains of this castle, located on a hill along the Fowey River 10 km south of Bodmin, have a main circular structure surrounded by a waterless moat.
ST. AUSTELL:
Only 5 km from St. Austell is the Eden Project, a botanical garden, located in a crater of an old clay mine, which presents the main plant systems of the world in various microcosms. There are about 70,000 species of plants from 3 climatic zones around the globe.
Another tens of kilometers further south towards Mevagissey there is another botanical garden the Lost Gardens of Heligan, formed in the Victorian era, when it contained many exotic plants from every corner of the British Empire, it was restored around 1990. Here are from visit the Italian Garden and the Flower Garden.
ST. MAWES:
St. Mawes is a quiet coastal village located on the extreme tip of the Roseland peninsula. The village is characterized by the majestic castle of St. Mawes Castle.
Visiting the Roseland Peninsula allows you to observe a varied landscape, made up of hidden inlets, beaches, rocky coasts, delightful river courses, woods and rural villages.
FALMOUTH:
A city rich in maritime history, it houses the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall, with a rich collection of boats. The Pendennis Castle is located 2 km south-east of the city center, is a castle located in an excellent position on a peninsula overlooking the sea, it was built in 1540 by Henry VIII.
We will spend the first night of our itinerary in Falmouth.
TRAVEL IN CORNWALL. SECOND DAY: FROM FALMOUTH TO PENZANCE
LIZARD PENINSULA:
Our itinerary in Cornwall continues along the Lizard Peninsula. Located south of Falmouth, the Lizard Peninsula is the southernmost part of mainland Britain. Rich in natural beauty, its rocky coasts and beaches are very beautiful. Among the most interesting spots along the coast are Kynance Cove, Lizard Point, Vellan Head, Mullion Cove, Coverack and Lowland Point.
Among the megalithic remains to report the fogou of Halliggye near Garras a few kilometers south of Helston.
BREAGE:
After leaving the Lizard Peninsula we take the A 394 towards Penzance. In the church of St. Breaca in Breage it is possible to admire a 15th century mural painting and a 3rd century Roman miliary.
GERMOE:
Halfway between the path between Penzance and Helston is the town of Germoe where we can stop at the church of St. Germoe (XII century), whose cemetery preserves the so-called chair of St. Germoe.
ST. HILARY:
A short detour before reaching St. Michael’s Mount allows you to visit the church of St. Hilary where there is a Roman granite milestone from 306-307 AD.
ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT:
Located just 6 kilometers before reaching Penzance, St. Michael’s Mount is one of Cornwall’s main natural attractions. It is an islet, connected to the mainland during low tide, on top of which there is a 14th century castle.
To reach it during low tide just walk the short isthmus that connects it to the mainland, otherwise there is a ferry service. It is advisable to visit the castle (Sir John’s Room, the Library, the Chevy Chase Room, the Small Blue Room, the Church, the Map Room and the Garrison), the gardens and the port.
PENZANCE:
The area’s main holiday resort is an excellent base for exploring the Land’s End area. The city full of Georgian and Regency-style houses has its heart on Chapel Street which connects the harbor with the Market House, a large palace built in 1837 which in the past hosted the market. National Lighthouse Museum is located in the harbor area. Penzance, favored by a good climate, is famous for the sub-tropical flowers and plants that can be seen in Morrab Gardens. The visit to the Penlee House Gallery and Museum with paintings from the Newlyn School and rooms dedicated to local history from prehistory to today may be interesting. The area around the city is full of beautiful beaches.
Penzance is also the port of embarkation to reach the Isles of Scilly (also reachable by plane and helicopter), a hundred islands and islets, which are located about 50 km south-west of Land’s End. The ferry that leaves from Penzance it takes about 2h30 ‘to reach them.
We will spend the second night of our itinerary in Penzance.
ITINERARY IN CORNWALL. THIRD DAY: LAND’S END
Land’s End is the final part of Cornwall, the most western part of England, reaching out towards the Atlantic Ocean. The area is characterized by spectacular cliffs where the waves of the ocean crash, and is rich in megalithic evidence and old mines. In 2006, UNESCO included the mining landscape of Cornwall and West Devon on the list of World Heritage Sites. The one described here is a circular itinerary of the Land’s End area that starts and ends in Penzance.
MOUSEHOLE:
Along the coast 5 km south of Penzance is Mousehole, a typical Cornish fishing village, made up of small stone cottages. Here it seems that he lived until his death in 1777 the last person who spoke the Cornish dialect.
CATCHALL-ST. BURYAN:
West of Catchall is the menhir of The Blind Fiddler, one of Cornwall’s most famous. This area is one of the richest in megalithic remains. The Merry Maidens is one of the most accessible stone circles, made up of 19 stones. Located next to the road a few meters from the stone circle of Marry Maidens is the burial chamber of Tregiffian. A short distance from Merry Maidens we also find the two stones of The Pipers, the tallest menhirs in Cornwall. Inland 2 km from St. Buryan is the site of Boscawen-un, one of the most evocative stone circles in the area, made up of 19 stones with a stone in the center. A few meters north-east are the menhirs of The Sisters.
PORTHCURNO:
Beautiful coastal area characterized by cliffs and Porthcurno beach. South of Porthcurno is the Minack Open Air Theater, an open air theater set in a scenic location on the Cornish coast.
LAND’S END:
Land’s End is the westernmost cape of England, reaching out towards the Atlantic Ocean.
SENNEN:
At Sennen Cove is Whitesand Bay, a beautiful strip of golden sand. Bird watching can also be practiced in this area.
SANCREED:
Not far from Sancreed is the Carn Euny fogou, an artificial underground passage 20 meters long, Carn Euny is an example of particularly well preserved fogou.
ST. JUST:
On the coast near St. Just is the megalithic tomb of Ballowall Barrow or Carn Gluze. Just north of St. Just is the site of the Geevor Tin Mine, a tin mine abandoned in 1985, which is now home to the Mining Museum. Also interesting is the visit to the site of the Levant mine, located north of St. Just in a scenic position on the cliffs. Cape Cornwall is located on the coast.
MORVAH:
The ceremonial site of Men-an-Tol is located 3 km east of Morvah, characterized by a circular perforated stone. The Dolmen of Chûn Quoit and Lanyon Quoit are also located in the Morvah area, east of Little Bosullow.
ST. IVES:
Ancient fishing village is today a renowned tourist center thanks to its beautiful beaches, numerous shops and art galleries. The town is home to the Tate St. Ives, which houses works by artists who lived in St. Ives, and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, with the artist’s abstract sculptures.
We will spend the third night of our itinerary back in St Ives or we can sleep in Penzance again.
ITINERARY IN CORNWALL. FOURTH DAY: FROM PENZANCE TO NEWQUAY
The north coast of Cornwall has the best surf beaches in the region, the main surf center is Newquay. In 2006 UNESCO included the mining landscape of Cornwall and West Devon in the list of world heritage sites, the mining areas included in the list of world heritage sites are: The mining district of St Just, the Port of Hayle, the mining districts of Tregonning and Gwinear, the mining district of Wendron, the mining districts of Camborne and Redruth with Wheal Peevor and Portreath Harbor, the mining district of Gwennap with Devoran, Perran and Kennall Vale, the mining district of St Agnes, the mining districts of Luxulyan Valley, Charlestown and Caradon, the mining district of Tamar Valley with Tavistock.
HAYLE:
Old mining port, Hayle is today a tourist and commercial center with interesting attractions such as the important bird sanctuary of the Hayle estuary.
GODREVY:
Located 5 km north of Hayle, Godrevy is known for its lighthouse (Godrevy Lighthouse), built on the island of Godrevy in 1858–1859. Godrevy beach is considered one of Cornwall’s best surf beaches. The cliffs at Godrevy Point are beautiful.
PORTREATH:
Small tourist center halfway between Hayle and St. Agnes. Some paths allow beautiful views of the area’s spectacular cliffs. Tehidy Country Park is located 3 km from Portreath, an area of woods with numerous nature trails.
PORTHTOWAN:
A small tourist center north of Portreath, the ancient copper mine of Wheal Towan dominates the town.
ST. AGNES:
St Agnes is today a small tourist center, after having been a mining center in past centuries, today the town presents itself with its cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and art galleries. A short distance from the village, along the coast there is St Agnes Head an excellent panoramic point. The Wheal Coates tin mine is located near St. Agnes, above the cliffs at Chapel Porth, the mining trail starts from this mine and continues along the coast passing through Polberro and Wheal Kitty and ends in Blue Hills near Trevellas.
PERRANPORTH:
Located in an area full of beaches, Perranporth is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Cornwall, the place is very popular with surfers, the walks that can be done along the dunes and cliffs are also very beautiful. Among the town’s facilities there is also a beautiful golf course built on the sand dunes. The sand dunes (Penhale Sands) are located near the northern part of the beach, while on the southern side of the beach there are steep cliffs with a scenic natural arch (Arch Rock), above the cliffs is Droskyn Castle.
HOLYWELL BAY:
Located along the coast halfway between Perranporth and Newsquay it has a beautiful sandy beach and beautiful cliffs. The beach is suitable for both surfing and swimming.
NEWQUAY:
It is the capital of English Surf and the main tourist center of the north coast of Cornwall thanks to its beaches and the spectacular coast. Surfing championships are held on Fistral Beach, and attract surfers from all over the world. The main beaches of the town are Crantock Beach, Great Western Beach, Porth Beach, Porth Joke Beach, Towan Beach, Watergate Bay, Whipsiderry Beach, Fistral Beach.
We will spend the fourth night of our itinerary in Newquay.
ITINERARY IN CORNWALL. FIFTH DAY: FROM NEWQUAY TO PLYMOUTH
PORTHCOTHAN:
Small village between Newquay and Padstow, with beautiful coastal scenery.
PADSTOW:
This is a small fishing village located at the mouth of the Camel River, it has become famous for restaurants that cook delicious fish-based meals.
PORT ISAAC:
Small and quiet coastal center.
TINTAGEL:
Beautiful coastal area with cliffs. On the promontory of Tintagel there are the fascinating ruins of the castle of Tintagel, some localized as the castle of King Arthur.
BOSCASTLE:
Small village located in a bay surrounded by cliffs.
LAUNCESTON:
Historic town halfway between Tintagel and Plymouth. It is possible to visit the Launceston Steam Railway and also travel on one of the 4 steam trains.
LYDFORD GORGE:
15 km east of Lauceston is the Lydford Gorge, where the Lyd River has carved a spectacular 2 km long gorge. It is possible to visit the gorge thanks to two paths that run through it.
DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK:
Just 15 km from Plymouth is the Dartmoor National Park where you can make beautiful walks in a relaxing natural landscape, where Ponies, sheep and birds live.
BUCKLAND ABBEY:
12 km from Plymouth, this 13th century Cistercian monastery is located. The place is famous for being the home of Sir Francis Drake in 1581.
We will spend the fifth night of our trip to Plymouth.
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